Clothesline support



Nov. 7, 1950 J. L. BRENNER CLOTHESLINE SUPPORT Filed Feb. 20, 1948 INVENTOR. /;4'ME6 L. BRENNER Patented Nov. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT optics CLGTHESLINE SUPPORT James L. Brenner, San Francisco, Calif.

Application February 20, 1948, Serial No. 9,791

This invention pertains to a clothes line support.

The primary object of the invention is to provide clothes line supports which can be selectively mounted in convenient locations either inside or outside of the house at a height suitable to the user, and on which means are provided for holding the clothes line at a desired tightness.

Particularly an object of the invention is to provide a clothes line support in the form of separate elements each of which can be mounted in a selected and convenient manner according to the location, and which can be detachably mount- 5 Claims. (Cl. 211119.15)

ed in such a manner that the forces exerted upon the elements by the weight of the clothes line and the clothes thereon increase the firmness of support; means are provided on said elements for hooking up the clothes lines and for adjusting the tightness of the clothes line at will.

Particular features of the invention are; adjustable mountings upon which a pair of spaced bars can be easily inserted; means on which a plurality of clothes lines can be hooked on one bar; and a tightening engagement for the other end of each clothes'line on the other bar 1 and a winding wheel can easily engage and tighten or loosen each' clothes line and which is easily manipulated by the average user.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the general arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following specification, and as defined in the following claims; hence I do not limit "my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the said device and parts as described in the said specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawlngs.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the assembled clothes line unit.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of one of the mounting brackets.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view of one Fig. 5 is a side view of the assembled clothes line support with the clothes line thereon.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental top plan view of one of the bars showing the tightening ratchet and wheel arrangement thereon.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the ratchet winding wheel and the holding device for tightening the clothes line.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an extension bracket upon the mounting for adjusting the location or height of the clothes line.

My clothes line supporting device includes a pair of bars i and 2, a bracket 3 at. each end of each bar adapted to be mounted on suitable sup porting surfaces, such as walls, poles, and the like, and adapted to detachahly support the ends of the bars I and 2. On one bar l are a plurality of hooks 3 longitudinally spaced along the bar.

Each hook 4 is to be engaged by a knotted end 5 of a clothes line I of any suitable material. The

other bar 2 has thereon a drum or winding device 8 generally opposite the respective location of each hook 4. A plurality of such winding devices 8 are arranged in longitudinally spaced locations along the second bar 2. The other end of each clothes line l' is wound upon one of the winding devices 8 and is held thereon with desired tightness. Each winding device 8 has a ratchet mechanism 9 thereon for preventing the unwinding of the winding devices 8 and thereby holding the clothes line l .at said desired tightness.

Each bar has at each end thereof a flat tongue I! which is preferably integral with the bar. The plane of the flat tongue 5 i is generally dia-- metrical with respect to the bar 5 and is at such relative angle to the location of the hooks t on bar I that the hooks 4 are located underneath the bar I when the flat tongue i i is approximately at 45 with respect to the vertical or to the perpendicular portion of the bracket 3. The same angular relation is formed between the planes of the tongues l l on the ends of the other bar 2 and the perpendicular axes of the winding devices 8. In other words, the planes of the flat tongues H on the ends of the bar are at such a suitable angle with respect to the perpendicular as to locate the hooks i and the winding devices Bunderneath the respective bars, and in opposite aligned position as shown particularly in Fig. 1.

The bars I and 2 may be supported in generally parallel and spaced relation on any supporting bracket or element which has in it a slot H2 at such angle to the perpendicular as the angle of the plane of the tongue I i is with respect to the perpendicular axes of the winding element 8 or the diameter passing through the hook 4. Each bracket 3 has a flange I3 with suitable holes I4 therein for mounting on a supporting surface. This flange I3 extends at an angle from one end of the bracket 3. The slot I2 is cut at a suitable angle relatively to the perpendicular axis of the bracket 3 from one edge of the bracket 3 slanting towards the lower end I6 of said bracket 3 and stopping short at a point spaced from the other edge of said bracket 3. The fiat tongue II at one end of one of the bars I and 2 is slipped into the slot I2 and on account of the relative angular arrangement the pull exerted by the clothes lines upon the hooks 4 and upon the winding devices 8 pulls flat tongues I I inwardly of the slot I2 and against the bottom of said slot I2. Thus the more weight is supported on the clothes lines I and on the bars I and 2, the tighter the tongues II are wedged into the slots I2 of the brackets 3. It is to be noted that for this purpose the brackets supporting the ends of the first bar I have their slot I2 faced oppositely to the slots I2 on the brackets 3 supporting the ends of the other bar 2. In other words the supporting slots of the respective bars converge downwardly.

' Thus the pull exerted upon the clothes line I tends to pull the bars I and 2 toward one another and by that force tightens the support between the respective bars and their brackets 3.

Each of the brackets 3 also has holes I'I therethrough above the slot I2. These holes I! are for accommodating an extension bracket I8 which also has a plurality of spaced holes I9. The extension bracket lB canbe secured to the bracket 3 by suitable bolts, screws or pins extended through aligned holes I9 and I1 and by using two of said holes I! any swinging of the extension bracket is prevented. The extension bracket I8 may be extended from the bracket 3 while the bracket is mounted in the vertical position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, in which case the extension bracket I8 is used for lowering the bars I and 2 to a convenient height where the user can easily reach it. For this purpose the lower end of the extension bracket I8 is bent at right anglesand thenback to form a bracket arm'2l inclined toward the bracket I8 upwardly at about the same angle to the longitudinal axis of the bracket I8. A slot 22 in the end of said bracket arm 2| is held by the bracket arm 2|, at the same relative angle to the perpendicular as the relative angle of the slot I2 in the short bracket 3. This angle may be accomplished by not only turning the bracket arm 2I back toward the extension bracket I8 but also turning it to one side of the extension bracket I8 until the slot 22 in the bracket arm '2I is at a desired angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the extension bracket I8. In some instances where accessibility is demanded the bracket 3 may be mounted horizontally, namely so that the longitudinal axes of the bracket 3 is generally horizontal, and then the extension bracket I8 is either suspended from it vertically or extended horizontally to a point spaced from the same, in

either case presenting the slot 22 at the desired angle for engagement by the tongue II at the of the tongues I I in the supporting bracket slots I2. The end of each clothes line I is knotted and the clothes line I is drawn into the hook t and pulled up tight against the same so that the knot 23 is caught at one side of the hook and tightly holds that end of the clothes line I.

The winding device 8 includes a shaft 24 which is journalled in the bar 2 in a vertical journal and has on its upper end a suitable holder such as a ratchet wheel 26 which forms part of the ratchet mechanism 9 above the bar 2. A collar 21 on the shaft 24 is spaced from the ratchet wheel 26 so that it is located immediately adjacent to the lower side of the bar 2, and forms the upper end of a drum on which the clothes line I is wound. On the lower end of the shaft 24 is a holdin and winding wheel 28 which has a handle 29 extended from it for facilitating the rotation of the wheel 28 for the winding of the clothes line I. The wheel 28 has a V notch 3| formed on one side thereof into which the knotted end 32 of the clothes line I can be wedged and held. Thus, one end of the clothes line I is hooked in the hook 4, and the other end is hooked into the V notch 3|. Then by turning the wheel 28 the clothes line I is wound around the shaft 24 between the wheel 23 and the collar 21 and is held from unwinding by the ratchet mechanism '9.

The wheel 28 is made of one piece of suitable wire. It is bent from its end 33 on an arc tangent to the center of the wheel 28 and then bent back to form the outside generally circular circumference portion 34 of the wheel; then it is bent back again to form an arc tangential to the center of the wheel and back to a symmetrical point with respect to the first end 33. Then this last end of the wire is bent downwardly to form a handle 29 as heretofore described. The shaft 24 is suitably secured, such as by welding, to the center of this wheel between the tangential portions of the wire. The end of the wire 33 and the symmetrical end where the vertical handle 24 is turned, are also welded to the circular circumference portion;

wheel is light and can be easily turned by manipulating the handle 29. The tangential arcuate portions 39 when welded together and at the center and to the outer circle at their ends, form the spoke-like elements in the wheel and form a reinforced notch 3| into which the end of the line can be wedged.

The ratchet mechanism 9 includes a casing or sleeve 36 fixed on the top of the bar 2 opposite and above each wheel 28 and adjacent to the respective ratchet wheels 23. This casing holds a pawl 31 with a collar 38 on the pawl inside of the casing 36 pressed by a coil spring 39 toward the ratchet wheel 26. The other or outer end of the pawl 31 is bent into an arm 4| to facilitate the releasing of the pawl 31 from the ratchet 26 when desired for the purpose of unwinding the clothes line.

The clothes line support can be stored away in favorable weather. Another set of brackets may be mounted outside on posts or poles or on the outer walls of the building permanently. Then wherever the clothes line is required, it can be easily assembled by placing the bars I and 2 in the spaced relation in their respective brackets. Each clothes line I can be left wound on its drum shaft 24. By releasing the ratchet each clothes line 7 can be unwound and pulled over to the opposite hook 4 and have its knotted end hooked thereinto. Then the line I is suitably tightened to the required tightness by turning the wheel 28 for the tightening of the clothes line 1. Thus each line is hooked up and tightened and is ready for the hanging of the clothes thereon. The elements of the clothes line are firmly secured and held in place yet can be easily dismantled and stored away. The tightness of the clothes line can be easily adjusted. After use and in the event storing away is required, the user loosens up each clothes line 7 and releases it from its hook 4 and then winds it'on the drums above the wheels 28. Then by lifting the bars I and '2 out of the brackets 3 and storing them in a convenient loca-' tion, the clothes line assembly is out of the way until it is needed again. The device does not require any particular adjustment, or. any tools or screws or bolts for setting up in use. Once the brackets are mounted in place the clothes line support can be set up or dismantled in a very short time and it can be operated, assembled and dismantled easily by the average laymen or user.

I claim:

1. In a clothes line support, a pair of supporting elements spaced from one anothena plurality of spaced hooks on one element adapted to hold an end of a clothes line respectively thereon, a plurality of winding devices spaced on the other element respectively opposite to said hooks and being adapted to wind the respective clothes lines thereon, and releasable means to hold said winding elements from unwinding, each of said windline, spaced winding devices on the other bar being adapted to wind the other end. of each clothes line thereon, and means on said other bar for holding said winding devices against unwinding, and a supporting bracket adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface at each end of each bar, each supporting bracket having an inclined retaining slot therein, a tongue on each end of each bar fitting into the respective slots, said inclined slots and tongues of the opposite bars being downwardly convergent so as to tighten the wedging action by the weight of the device and of the clothes line. I

4. In a clothes line support, a pair of parallel spaced bars, spaced members on one of said bars, each being adapted to hold an end of a clothes line, spaced winding devices on the other bar being adapted to Wind the other end of each clothes line thereon, and means on said other bar for holding said winding devices against unwinding, and a supporting bracket adapted to be mounted .on a supporting surface at each end of each bar,

each supporting bracket having an inclined retaining slot therein, a tongue on each end of each bar fitting into the respectiveslots, the relative angle between the tongue and the slots and the said hooks and winding devices locating said hooks and said winding devices at the underside .of said bar, an extension bracket, adjustable means to connect said extension bracket to said I first bracket, and a supporting arm on the ex- I tension bracket having a slot therein held at an angle with respect to the perpendicular which is substantially the same as the angle of slots and tongues on the first bracket.

5. A line winding and holding device for line supports of the character described comprising a shaft journalled in a supporting element, a

, Wheel on the end of the shaft, said wheel having ing devices including a shaft journalled on the support element on an axis generally at right angles downwardly from said element and extending below the latter, a wheel on said shaft below said element having a wedge notch inits periphery for wedge engagement with the end of a clothes line, and means on the other end of the shaft for coacting with said releasable holding mechanism.

2. In a clothes line support, a pair of parallel spaced bars, spaced members on one of said bars, each being adapted to hold an end of a clothes line, spaced winding devices on the other bar being adapted to wind the other end of each clothes line thereon, and means on said other bar for holding said winding devices against unwind ing, and a supporting bracket adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface at each end of each bar, each supporting bracket having an inclined retaining slot therein, a tongue on each end of each bar fitting in the respective slots, the relative angle between the tongue and the-slots and the said hooks and winding devices locating said hooks and said winding devices at the underside of said bar.

3. In a clothes line support, a pair of 'parallel V spaced bars, spaced'members on one of said bars,

each being adapted to hold an end of a clothes ,:below said element.

a wedgin notch in the periphery thereof for wedging engagement by an end of the clothes line, and a handlev extended downwardly from said wheel, a supporting flange at each end of the j supporting element, and a wall bracket having a slot therein for engagement by said flange at an angle to the perpendicular to locate said winding shaft substantially perpendicular with respect to said supportin element and to locate said wheel JAMES L. BRENNER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 527,311 Austin Oct. 9, 1894 892,349 Bailey June 30, 1908 908,743 Cavell Jan. 5, 1909 935,532 Mauck Sept. 28, 1909 1,014,322 Molcar Jan. 9, 1912 1,023,972 Starnes Apr. 23, 1912 1,140,787 Baeumle May 25, 1915 1,513,445 Cohrs Oct. 28, 1924 1,650,364 Knitter Nov. 22, 1927 1,861,123 Kuckel May 31, 1932 1,896,996 Beglinger Feb. '7, 1936 1,960,095' Tonnesen-. May 22, 1934 2,166,771 Robertson July 18, 1939 

